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Abstract:

The system and method herein described allows home cooks and professional
chefs with basic computer skills create recipes with photo slideshows and
videos, collect and organize recipes in electronic cookbooks that can be
published and sold as eBooks. The new process incorporates methods for
computing calories, nutritional facts and food group servings of recipes,
and comparing said nutrients and food group servings to recommended daily
allowances.

Claims:

1. A computer implemented method for authoring and publishing interactive
publications, said method comprising: creating, at an application server,
a repository, wherein said repository is associated with a primary user
chef, wherein said repository is configured to receive recipes; sending,
from said application server, invites to one or more chefs, wherein said
invite is associated with said repository; receiving, at said application
server, one or more invitation acceptance from said one or more chefs,
wherein said invitation acceptance is related to said invite, wherein
said one or more chefs accepting said invitation for a group of one or
more contributing chefs; receiving, at said application server, one or
more recipes from said primary user chef and said one or more
contributing chefs; storing, at said application server, said one or more
recipes in said repository; sorting, at said application server, said one
or more recipes, based at least in part on input from said primary user
chef and said one or more contributing chefs; receiving, at said
application server, one or more directives from said primary user chef;
and generating, at said application server, a publication containing said
one or more recipes and based at least in part on said one or more
directives.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more
directives is comprised of a cover page template.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more
directives is comprised of a table of content template.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more
directives is comprised of a recipe page template.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said publication is an eBook.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: computing, at
said application server, caloric and nutritional information for said one
or more recipes; and storing said caloric and nutritional information in
said repository.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: computing, at
said application server, food group information for said one or more
recipes; and storing said food group information in said repository.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: computing, at
said application server, caloric and nutritional information for said one
or more recipes; storing said caloric and nutritional information in said
repository; computing, at said application server, food group information
for said one or more recipes; storing said food group information in said
repository; computing, at said application server, a rating based at
least in part on said caloric and nutritional information and said food
group information; and storing said rating in said repository.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said publication is comprised of
caloric and nutritional information for said one or more recipes.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said publication is comprised of one
or more forms of multimedia content.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein a viewer of said publication can
personalize said one or more recipes on a viewing device by changing one
or more recipe variables.

12. A system for authoring and publishing interactive publications, said
system comprising: a repository component, wherein said repository
component is configured to receive and store one or more recipes, wherein
said repository component is associated with a primary user chef; an
invitation component, wherein said invitation component is configured to
send invitations to one or more chefs, wherein said invitation component
is configured to receive invitation acceptances from said one or more
chefs, wherein said invitation component is communicatively connected to
said repository component; a directive component, wherein said directive
component is configured to receive one or more directives from said
primary user chef, wherein said directive component is communicatively
connected to said repository component; and a publication component,
wherein said publication component is configured to receive said one or
more directives from said directive component, wherein said publication
component is further configured to generate a publication based at least
in part on said one or more directives, wherein said publication
component is communicatively connected to said repository component.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of said one or more
directives is comprised of a layout template.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein said publication is an eBook.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprised of: a caloric and
nutritional information component, wherein said caloric and nutritional
information component is configured to compute caloric and nutritional
information for said one or more recipes, wherein said caloric and
nutritional information component is communicatively connected to said
repository.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprised of: a food group
information component, wherein said food group information component is
configured to compute food group information for said one or more
recipes, wherein said food group information component is communicatively
connected to said repository.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said publication is comprised of
caloric and nutritional information for said one or more recipes.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprised of: a caloric and
nutritional information component, wherein said caloric and nutritional
information component is configured to compute caloric and nutritional
information for said one or more recipes, wherein said caloric and
nutritional information component is communicatively connected to said
repository; a food group information component, wherein said food group
information component is configured to compute food group information for
said one or more recipes, wherein said food group information component
is communicatively connected to said repository and said caloric and
nutritional information component; and a rating component, wherein said
rating component is configured to compute a rating, wherein said rating
is based in part on said food group information and said caloric and
nutritional information, wherein said rating component is communicatively
connected to said repository, said caloric and nutritional information
component and said food group information component.

19. The system of claim 11, wherein said publication is comprised of one
or more forms of multimedia content.

20. A computer implemented method for authoring and publishing
interactive publications, said method comprising: creating, at an
application server, a repository, wherein said repository is associated
with a primary user, wherein said repository is configured to receive
content; sending, from said application server, invites to one or more
secondary users, wherein said invite is associated with said repository;
receiving, at said application server, one or more invitation acceptance
from said one or more secondary users, wherein said invitation acceptance
is related to said invite, wherein said one or more secondary users
accepting said invitation for a group of one or more contributing
secondary users; receiving, at said application server, one or more
pieces of content from said primary user and said one or more
contributing secondary users; storing, at said application server, said
one or more pieces of content in said repository; sorting, at said
application server, said one or more pieces of content, based at least in
part on input from said primary user and said one or more contributing
secondary users; receiving, at said application server, one or more
directives from said primary user; and generating, at said application
server, a publication containing said one or more pieces of content and
based at least in part on said one or more directives.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/342,951 Filed Apr. 21, 2010, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to the automation of
generating eBooks. Specifically, this invention relates to a system and
method for allowing multiple chefs, without any particular knowledge of
publishing or computer systems, to collaborate over one or more networks
and generate a cookbook. The system and methods described herein also
incorporate processes for computing caloric and other nutritional
information related to one or more recipes contained within the cookbook.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The current art includes some aspect of this invention but none of
the current art sees the consumers as publishers in the way this
invention does.

[0004] The advent of the web and mobile apps has brought consumers plenty
of data and information on how to start on a balanced and healthy diet to
control weight gains or to lose weight. Recommendations on calorie intake
based on age, sex, activity levels are widely available. Information and
apps are also available to help consumers track food consumption and
monitor calories based on actual activity for a given day. These sites
focus on journaling of ingredients and foods consumed during the day, not
on recipes that can be assembled in cookbooks and meal plans and that can
actually help consumers make the leap and become cooks of their own food.

[0005] Some web sites provide nutrition information on user's own recipes
but these web sites fail to provide an easy to use process and provide
the nutritional information of recipes as typically found on food
nutrition labels.

[0006] There are printed books and magazines that have made the leap into
the online web and provide nutritional information on recipes. These
attempts, however, fail to provide the cook or group of cooks the ability
to create their own online cookbooks.

[0007] Existing eBooks of recipes exist but these are simply a translation
of format from paper and fail to give the cooks the ability to make
decisions when creating recipes that take into account caloric and
nutritional facts or family size.

[0008] The USDA provides an electronic database that allows consumers,
food industry operators, or nutritionists to "compute" the caloric or
nutrient content for thousand of ingredients and foods. This electronic
data is used and augmented in some cases but the presentation always
focuses on ingredients rather than on what the user consumes, i.e. a
recipe of ingredients prepared according to a particular cooking method,
and fails to incorporate the other important aspect of the guidelines,
the USDA food pyramid.

[0009] Following even simple dietary guidelines it's not an easy task for
the majority of consumers to deal on their own. Therefore many consumers
seek the help of a dietician or follow a specific diet that suggests
specific recipes or food to eat and quantities based on age and activity
levels.

[0010] While dieticians or specific diets serve a role for a given section
of the population or for consumers with a given condition, the obesity
problem affecting the new generations and modern societies tells that an
alternative simpler method should be sought to help consumers help
themselves follow more balanced diets using recipes and food they love
and eat daily.

[0011] Lastly, searching for recipes online has become one of the most
common activities of web users. However, there is a lack of
standardization of how to search for information, e.g. when searching for
a recipe a visitor should only get recipes with matching ingredients or
matching keywords in recipe title and that's not the case. Also, the
information is mostly presented in ways that favors advertising and not
focusing, if at all, on the recipes' content and in particular
nutritional aspect of the recipes.

[0012] In summary, there is no known art that allows home and professional
cooks with limited computer skills to gather own and favorite recipes in
a electronic cookbook format, i.e. online cookbooks, that makes them
publishers and also allows them to leverage with no effort on their part
on a compute method that computes and visualizes easy-to-apply
nutritional information and guidance on their recipes, a workflow method
that allows them to invite friends in the creation of the cookbooks, a
conversion method that automatically converts the online cookbooks into
an eBook format and that can be sold through established online stores,
and a new interactivity method that gives the reader of the cookbook or
eBook the ability to personalize recipes and experience, e.g. modify the
amount of ingredients in recipes for a different number of servings than
recipes were created for, or view recipe's nutrition information compared
to own personal profile.

[0013] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system and method for
allowing home and professional cooks with limited computer skills to
perform the aforementioned tasks. These and other features and advantages
of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one
skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to allow
users of a computer, smart-phone, tablet, mobile device or other
computing device to create, collaborate, and publish recipes and
electronic online cookbooks that provide easy to apply nutritional
information and guidance. This system and methods described herein give
any cook with basic computer skills the ability to collect recipes and
publish them in online cookbooks and eBooks, without requiring knowledge
of eBook publishing or skills in book layout.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the new
process helps the cook, professional chef, or groups of cooks and chefs,
monetize their efforts through the publishing of their recipes and eBooks
by setting prices or accepting donations.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a consumer
oriented approach and algorithmic intelligence of the invention presents
nutritional facts in an aggregated way which makes it easier to
incorporate nutritional guidelines in home and professional cooking

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the systems
and methods herein described help consumers connect the dots between
dissimilar guidelines: the USDA Recommended Daily Allowances for
macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients and the USDA Food Pyramid
recommendation providing guidance on amount and servings of food groups.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a compute
method implementing a nutritional facts computation and food group
servings computation helps a cook understand the cause and effect of
choosing certain ingredients versus others and their quantity.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a compute
method implements a Rating associated with recipes and food journals. The
Cookiti Apples Rating was developed to correspond with the latest Dietary
Guidelines for Americans released in 2010. The Guidelines promote
consumption of a variety of nutrient-dense foods and beverages from the
basic food groups and encourage foods that limit intake of saturated and
trans fat, cholesterol, added sugars and salt while promoting an increase
in fiber rich choices. The Guidelines encourage a balanced diet rich in
fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy products, grains,
beans, peas and legumes at the appropriate calorie level.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Cookiti
Apple Rating gives cooks and viewers of their recipes immediate feedback
on how a recipe meets said guidelines and helps them promote good health.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, suggested
implementations of the system and methods described herein incorporate
modern user experience techniques to complete tasks simply, intuitively,
and quickly. The user experience emphasizes cleanness of the user
interface to help users navigate and find content and nutritional facts
very easily and quickly.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the systems
and methods herein described may be implemented through a web-based
service that allows a publisher-consumer home cooks collaborate with
family members and friends to create cook books for publishing on the web
and/or to eBook stores.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the systems
and methods herein described may be implemented, for example, via a `web
site`. In this manner, a company can help raise nutritional awareness of
consumers by presenting computed nutrition facts and recommended dietary
allowances as a focal point of the user experience, without being too
intrusive.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are at
least five embodiments of the invention that may build on each other and
work together: [0025] 1) Give users ability to add `common name`
ingredients to a list and automatically compute the aggregated
nutritional facts and food group servings, visually chart and compare
each nutrient and food group to the recommended daily allowances and food
group recommendation. [0026] 2) Give users ability to save list of
ingredients as recipes, specifying a cooking method, optional multi-media
visual content such as photo slide-shows and videos, and cooking
instructions, then save recipe with corresponding nutritional facts and
food group servings. The consumer viewing a recipe of another chef would
view the nutritional facts saved in recipe compared to the recommended
nutrient and food group allowances based on own personal profile. [0027]
3) Give users the ability to search recipes, own recipes and public
recipes shared by other chefs, sort results according to criteria that
emphasize balanced diets and good nutrients, such as good fats, good
carbs, and good proteins, and give users ability to add other chef's
recipes as favorite recipes to own recipe box. [0028] 4) Give chefs with
no knowledge of web or eBook publishing, nor book layout skills, the
ability to create and publish eBooks of recipes in few simple steps:
selecting one of pre-built templates for the book cover and one for
recipe pages; selecting which table of contents and book navigation
methods to generate; optionally sharing the cookbook with friends and
family by allowing each one to contribute to the cookbook with own
recipes or favorite recipes; setting a price or accept donations; then
choosing the distribution methods, i.e. through a web site or online
eBook stores. The process automatically creates the specified tables of
content, navigation to specific sections, plus incorporates interactive
features and multi-media support, such as video streaming and
annotations. The conversion method generates the standard ePub format for
eBook distribution and retains the interactivity of the corresponding
online cookbook. [0029] 5) Give users the ability to aggregate recipes
and journals in meal plans and grocery lists, as every cook daily
activity includes the planning of meals and shopping for food. One
distinguishing factor of the meal planning embodiment is to allow cooks
to leverage on their existing recipes to plan their daily meals very
simply. The added benefit to the cooks are the computed daily averages of
nutrition facts and food group servings as well as the presentation of
said facts and servings sorted by recipe and by ingredient to help cooks
narrow on the dominating recipes and ingredients, weaknesses and excesses
of the meal plan, thus help them make adjustments to meet the provided
guidance.

[0030] The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred
embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the
embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] FIG. 1 shows how remote users at computers, mobile devices or
partner web sites interact with the systems and methods described herein
and each of the applications embodied by the new service;

[0032]FIG. 2 shows a flow-chart of a typical interaction with a new
service implementing the invention, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention, where a user creates a recipe or food journal from
a list of ingredients;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows algorithms used to compute nutritional facts, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 4 shows a flow-chart of an algorithm, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, used to compute the Cookiti Apples
Rating associated with recipes and food journals;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows an algorithm to compare and display nutritional facts
and food group servings, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0036] FIG. 6A shows the representation of the Cookiti Apples Rating, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 6B shows a presentation of a user's Primary Nutrition Facts
compared to the user's own Recommended Daily Allowances, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 6C shows a combined representation of Nutrition Facts and Food
Group servings compared to user's own RDA, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 7 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0040] FIG. 8 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0041] FIG. 9 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0042] FIG. 10 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0043] FIG. 11 shows a flow-chart of a method in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 12 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0045] FIG. 13 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0046]FIG. 14 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0047]FIG. 15 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0048] FIG. 16 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, to let user create, search,
sort recipes or journals, analyze their respective nutritional facts and
food group servings, and compare them to recommendations based on
personal profile;

[0049] FIG. 17 shows a flow-chart of a method used by co-authors to
create, collaborate, and publish new cookbooks, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 17B shows data elements required to create the cookbook
framework, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 17C shows options to share cookbook with public and other
members, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 17D shows a cookbook organizer for adding and sorting recipes
to online cookbook, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0053] FIG. 17E shows a diagram of how a table of contents is created, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 17F shows a flow-chart of a user's actions supported in
navigating a cookbook, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0055] FIG. 18 shows options for publishing a cookbook as an eBook, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 19 shows a flow-chart of a convert method that transforms an
online cookbook into an eBook, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;

[0057] FIG. 20 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0058]FIG. 21 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 22 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 23 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 24 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 25 shows an implementation of how a user at a remote computer
or mobile device would interact with a web site or service implementing
the fourth embodiment of the invention, in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;

[0063]FIG. 26A shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0064]FIG. 26B shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0065]FIG. 26c shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0066]FIG. 26D shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] FIG. 26E shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] FIG. 26F shows an example of an eBook generated in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] FIG. 27 shows a one page monthly calendar used for cooks to create
and analyze meal plans, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0070] FIG. 28A shows a flow-chart for creating meal plans, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0071] FIG. 28A shows an algorithm, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention, used to compute, compare, and display daily
average of nutritional facts compared to RDA;

[0072] FIG. 28B shows an algorithm, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention, used to compute, compare, and display daily
average of nutritional facts compared to RDA;

[0073] FIG. 28C shows a nutrients analysis tool in calendars, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0074] FIG. 28D shows a nutrients analysis tool in calendars, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 29 shows an implementation of calendars, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 30 shows an implementation of calendars, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 31 shows an implementation of calendars, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0078] FIG. 32 is a generalization of the fourth embodiment of the
invention for co-authors to create, collaborate, and publish any eBook to
web or eBook stores.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

[0079] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user of a
remote device 40, computer 40A or a smart phone 40B, or external web site
40C, can access a service implementing the invention through the internet
41.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method 42 is
configured to read a user's profile 49G, if user is registered with the
service, the system authenticates the user, initializes a session, and
processes all input and output from and to users at remote devices 40A,
40B, and 40C. Users 40A would interact with method 42 through a web
browser, user on a mobile device 40B would interact with a local app and
local app would interact with method 42 through web-based REST-like API
services. Partner web sites 40C would interact with method 42 through
web-based REST-like API services.

[0081] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the method 42
initialization also determines, based on the user profile, the primary
nutrition facts 96 of interest.

[0082] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a module 43 is
comprised of one or more methods that allow users to create a list of
ingredients from data store 49B, specify a quantity and a measure,
retrieved from 49D, based on which it computes the list's Cookiti Apples
Rating, nutritional facts and food groups servings based on ingredients'
nutrient values in 49C.

[0083] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the one or
more methods in module 43 compute and displays the rating, charts of
nutrients and food groups, comparing each nutrient and food group to the
user's recommended daily allowances and food group servings
recommendation based on user profile in data store 49G. The Recommended
Daily Allowances (RDA) are stored in data store 49A and are used to
determine how do draw the nutrients and food group charts. The data
stored in 49A includes the values for each nutrient as well as food group
servings by age, sex, activity level, and body frame size.

[0084] According to an embodiment of the present invention, non-registered
users may be provided limited access to the method 43 and are not able to
create and store recipes 49E.

[0085] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a module to
manage a Recipe Box 44 with methods that give users ability to save a
list of ingredients created with method 43 as a recipe 49E, and search,
sort, or remove said recipes. Save method in Recipe Box 44 automatically
saves with recipes so created in recipe 49E their corresponding
nutritional facts and food group servings computed with method 43.

[0086] According to an embodiment of the present invention, methods in
Recipe Box 44 also rely on the Search and sort methods 50 to help users
manage own recipes and find and add other users' recipes as favorite.

[0087] According to an embodiment of the present invention, methods 43 and
44 are detailed further in FIGS. 2-6 and described in the sections
Nutritional Facts Counters and Recipe Box Manager, the 1st,
2nd, and 3rd embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a module to
create and manage Cookbooks 46 with methods that give users ability to
create books of recipes, i.e. cookbooks in 49F, by choosing a name and a
template from a set of predefined templates 49H. User can co-author books
with registered friends in data store 49G by allowing each one to
contribute to the cookbooks with own recipes. Navigation method in
Cookbooks 46 creates table of contents and book navigation automatically;
publish method 46B helps authors publish their cookbooks by choosing a
distribution method using a publishing method, i.e. thru a web site or
eBook stores.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the navigation
method 46 and publish method 46B are detailed further in FIGS. 17-17F and
described in the section Cookbooks Manager (co-authored interactive books
of recipes), the fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a module to
manage Calendars 45 with methods that give users ability to aggregate
recipes and journals in meal plans, automatically compute daily and daily
average of nutrients and calories and gives users ability to rearrange
daily meal plans by dragging recipes to a different day.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the module to
manage Calendars 45 is further detailed in FIGS. 28-28F and described in
the section Calendars Manager Module (shared meal plans), the fifth
embodiment of the invention.

[0094] Step 52 allows user to enter free text to search for ingredients to
add to a list. The method displays the matching list of ingredients 55
and the list is refined as user types; it then allows user to select a
corresponding measure and quantity 56 of the ingredient.

[0095] The method may allows user to type measure and quantity along
ingredient name in which case the method invokes the natural language
processing method 53 to parse user text to extract ingredient name 55,
quantity and measure 56.

[0096] Based on ingredient's measure and quantity the process in FIG. 2
then invokes the Nutrition Compute Module 57 which is detailed in FIG. 3
to compute running total of nutrition facts, the primary nutrition facts,
and the aggregated nutrients values and food group servings.

[0097] The Nutrition Compute Method

[0098] Method 70 in FIG. 3 retrieves the nutrient's values of the new
ingredient from data store 49C.

[0099] The method 71 retrieves the ingredient's nutrient values, which are
used by method 72 to compute the primary nutritional facts based on
entered ingredient's quantity and measure. The method assumption is that
all nutrient values 49A are stored based on quantities of 100 metric gram
units of an ingredient. To compute the nutritional facts for the current
ingredient's measure and quantity in list the method converts the
specified measure and quantity to the equivalent metric gram units and
pro-rates the ingredient's nutrient values stored in 49A.

[0100] The method 72 computes the aggregated total values of the primary
nutrition facts and micro-nutrients in 73.

[0101] The method 74 computes the food group servings for the entered
ingredients using the association of ingredients to food groups in data
store 49B. To compute and compare the number of "servings" for entered
ingredients to food group servings recommendation, the method finds first
the food group base measure 75. This is for instance the measure "oz" for
grains or meats or the measure "cup" for vegetables and milk food groups.

[0102] The method 76 then normalizes the ingredient's measure specified by
the user to the base measure of the corresponding food group. All
ingredients are assumed to have in data store 49D the corresponding base
measure of the parent food group. In those cases where an ingredient has
not been assigned the food group's base measure, the method will default
to a pre-defined conversion value.

[0103] The method 77 then computes food group servings in both USDA food
group recommendation measures as well as metric gram units and calorie
values. The method converts the user selected ingredient measure and
quantity to metric grams, and then back from metric grams to the base
measure.

[0104] Cookiti Apples Rating Method

[0105] The process in FIG. 2 may invoke the Cookiti Apples Rating compute
method shown in FIG. 4 to compute the number of "apples" for the current
list of ingredients.

[0106] The Cookiti Apples Rating in FIG. 6A associated with recipes and
food journals is a visual representation of the quality of a recipe and
of food journal in terms of caloric and nutritional content and a
balanced representation of food groups. It gives immediate visual
feedback on nutritional and health quality of selected ingredients as a
whole in terms of calories, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. The module
relies on the following methods to determine the rating:

[0107] Method 80 computes the amount of calories from fat and the amount
of calories from saturated and trans fats. If the ratio of fat calories
in relation to total calories is less than a configurable value and if
the ratio of saturated and trans fats is less than a configurable value
the method 81 assign a "fat apple" to the current recipe or journal.

[0108] Method 82 similarly computes the total calories from fiber. If the
ratio of calories from fiber in relation to total calories is greater
than a configurable amount the method 83 assign a "carbohydrate apple" to
the current recipe or journal.

[0109] Method 84 computes the ratio of calories from proteins and the
total calories from unsaturated fats. If the ratio of proteins is within
a configurable range and the ratio of calories from unsaturated fats in
relation to total fat calories is higher than a configurable value then
the method 85 assigns a "protein apple" to the recipe or journal.

[0110] The Cookiti Apples Rating computed this far is then adjusted
negatively based on total cholesterol, cooking method of recipe, and if
any ingredient exceeds the recommended servings by a configurable amount.

[0111] Last "apple rating" is computed differently depending 86 if the
list of ingredients is for a recipe or a food journal. The method 88 and
method 88A determine if food journals have a balanced representation of
each food group relative to the USDA recommendations, while method 87 and
method 87A determine if a recipe has a caloric index below a certain
configurable value.

[0112] Method 87 computes the WACI (Weighted Average Caloric Index) of a
recipe. Similarly to the caloric index of an ingredient or food,
expressed as the number of calories in one gram of food, the WACI caloric
index represents the ratio between the total calories in the recipe and
the quantity of ingredients expressed in gram units. In the context of a
recipe the caloric index is calculated for each food group represented in
the recipe. The WACI index takes into account the caloric index of each
food group in a recipe by totaling the caloric index of each food group
weighted against the average serving size for that food group and the
number of portions (servings) of the recipe. This is formula for
computing a recipe WACI value: [0113] 1. For each f (Food Group)
initialize three arrays for Calories (FCal), Measures (FMeas), and
Default Servings (FServ) [0114] A) And for each i (Ingredient) in recipe
do the following: [0115] I. FCal (if)Ingredient's Calories
[0116] II. FMeas (if)Ingredient's Measure [0117] III. FServ
(if)Ingredient's Default Serving Size [0118] IV. Compute food
groups totals and averages: [0119] i) SUM_FCal (f)SUM
(FCal(if)) [0120] ii) SUM_FMeas (f)SUM (FMeas(if)) [0121]
iii) AVG_FSery (f)AVERAGE (FServ(if)) [0122] V. Compute each
food group multiplier as [0123] i) X-plier (f)F
SUM_FMeas(f)/(AVG_FServ(f)*Recipe's Servings) [0124] ii) If X-Plier
(f)>1 THEN X-Plier(f)X-Plier(f) 2 [0125] VI. Compute each food
group caloric index as [0126] i) FCI(f)(SUM_FCal (f)/SUM_FMeas
(f)*X-Plier(f) [0127] 2. Compute and Store the Weighted Average
Caloric Index [0128] WACISUM(FCI (f)*SUM_FCal (f)/SUM (SUM_FCal
(f))

[0129] The multiplier in step V.i and V.ii basically determines if a
recipe should be penalized if the amount of ingredients within a food
group is excessive.

[0130] Nutrition Display Module

[0131] After the Cookiti Apples Rating is computed, the process shown in
FIG. 2 invokes the Nutrition Display Module shown in FIG. 5 to display
the computed Cookiti Apples Rating, primary nutritional facts charts,
nutrients and food group servings relatively to the USDA RDA values for
the current user profile.

[0132] Method 94 displays the Cookiti Apples Rating in a format similar to
FIG. 6A. The Rating is updated as user adds, changes or removes
ingredients from the ingredients list.

[0133] Method 95 retrieves the user RDA values from 49G.

[0134] Method 96 displays the Primary Nutrition Facts as from profile in a
format similar to FIG. 6B, comparing each nutrient to the respective RDA
value.

[0135] The method 97 displays the combined nutrients chart and food group
chart in a format similar to FIG. 6C. The innovative approach of this
representation is that both nutrient values and food group servings, for
the current list of ingredients, are represented together on the same
screen. Furthermore, each nutrient and food group aggregated values are
displayed in relation to the RDA values 97A and 97B. Furthermore, upon
user request, methods 97C and 97D display for each nutrient or food group
values by ingredient 113, therefore allowing user to determine which
ingredient in the ingredient list contributes the most to a given
nutrient or food group. Finally, upon user request, method 97E displays
the actual RDA values for both nutrients and food groups.

[0136] In FIG. 6B the value 103 represents the aggregated value of the
nutrient for the current list of ingredients, while 104 represents the
recommended daily allowance of the nutrient respectively to current
personal profile. Method 106 shows the nutrient distribution by each
ingredient in the list. The representation of the nutrient 105 shows a
nutrient exceeding the recommended daily allowance.

[0137] FIG. 6C shows the visual representation of method 97 with the
combined view of nutrients and food groups. Similar to the bar charts
used for the primary nutrition facts, the bar charts 111 and 119 compare
the current totals versus the recommended daily allowance for each
nutrient 112 and for each food group 120, respectively. To be noted in
FIG. 6C also the method's implementation of multiple views of the food
group servings; default is by servings as defined in USDA
recommendations, or user can view food group data by metric grams 116 or
by calories 117. Method 118 is the visual representation of method 76.
Lastly, method 122 shows the USDA recommended daily allowances for the
current user profile.

[0142] The view methods display the primary nutrition facts, Cookiti
Apples ratings, preparation time, cooking time and other properties of
recipes that give users sufficient details of a recipe to minimize page
context changes. In particular, methods 155A and 155B give users ability
to peek `in place` for additional details, or play video 155C attached to
a recipe `in place`.

[0143] The recipe editor includes methods that allow users to select
values from predefined lists, e.g. Course, Cuisine, enter or paste
ingredients and measures as discussed in 43, enter or paste instructions
and remarks, upload or select video, upload one ore multiple photos.

[0144] The edit methods 150 and 151 allow user to edit or create recipes.
The recipe editor requires basic computer skills such as typing, pasting,
selecting, browsing from local computer for photos or videos to upload.

[0146] The sort recipes method 153 allows users to sort recipe box
according to predefined criteria that allow users to search by nutrients,
Cookiti Apples Ratings, or other `common interest` criteria such as by
low fats, by low carbohydrates, etc.

[0147] The filter methods 154 allows users to include in the recipe box
view recipes that meet certain predefined criteria, such as by courses,
by chef, by status, i.e. private or public, etc.

[0148] The remove method 156 allows users to clean recipe box of recipes
that are no longer of interest.

[0149] One of the innovative features introduced by the Recipe Box module
is the ability for users to share 157 and sell recipes 158. Users share
recipes with friends, share recipes with public for free, for a price or
accept donations. In this manner, the method allows users to add or buy
recipes from other chefs, these recipes known to the buyer chef as
`favorite recipes`.

[0151] A prototype visual implementation of the Recipe Box Manager module
is shown in FIGS. 11-15.

[0152] A prototype implementation of a recipe viewer 155 is shown in FIG.
16; it shows the full content of recipe emphasizing recipe's nutrition
facts 160, 165, the Cookiti Apples Ratings 164, and ability to add
personal sticky notes 161. The method 166 167 show the recipe photo slide
show and video that can be played in-place.

[0155] The create cookbook method 180 allows users to create a new book
framework that will hold the actual content. The create cookbook method
is detailed in FIG. 17B. The method allows user to specify a Title 180A,
a brief introduction 180B, and cover page picture 180C. The chef's name
and 180A, 180B, and 180C will appear on the book's cover page in the
layout defined by the selected cover page template 180E. The method
provides user a rich text area field to store the book introduction which
would appear before the table contents and after the cookbook cover page.
The method also allows user to choose which tables of content to include
with cookbook 180G and a recipe page template 180F which will determine
the layout of recipe pages in eBook.

[0156] The share method 181 in FIG. 17 allows users to share access to the
cookbook with selected friends and public. The share method is detailed
in FIG. 17C. The method allows owner of cookbook to release it to the
public 181A which would normally be done once cookbook is done, and more
importantly the method allows user to grant `modify` access 181C to
friends and other family members registered with system 181B; members
added in 181B become effectively co-authors, thus allowing them to add
their own recipes and favorite recipes to the cookbook. The share method
also allows owner to define cost once the cookbook is shared with the
public. It allows user to share if for free, accept donations, or set an
access fee 181D. Lastly, the share method allows user to create an eBook
version of the cookbook 181E which is detailed further in FIG. 18.

[0157] The recipe organizer method 182 gives users the ability to add
recipes from own recipe box, sort and remove recipes. The recipe
organizer method is detailed in FIG. 17D. According to an embodiment of
the present invention, the recipe organizer method determines how users
"add" recipes to cookbook. The method allows users to perform this task
with a single drag action 182F of a recipe from recipe pane 182A to the
cookbook's recipe organizer 182B both accessible within the same screen.

[0158] The preview method 182D gives user instant feedback on cookbook
layout and pagination, while the method 182E gives user the ability to
filter recipes by chapter and therefore ability to check which recipes
will be part of each individual TOC chapter.

[0159] The compute method 183, further detailed in FIG. 17E, automatically
updates the active tables of content as recipes are added, moved, or
removed from cookbook organizer Each line item in a table of content
effectively represents a virtual chapter of the book that user can jump
to and browse. The computed chapters have overlapping content filtered by
the table of content type and sorted according to the sequence of recipes
specified in organizer 182.

[0160] Update Tables of Content

[0161] FIG. 17E shows the internal representation of cookbooks. The
cookbook properties, such as title, templates, introduction, etc. are
stored in the cookbook data store 183A. The cookbook data store includes
all recipe IDs that belong to the cookbook and sourced from different
users 183B. The chapters data store 183C includes the list of table of
contents (TOC) selected for the cookbook. The content of each TOC is
determined thru a select query in cookbook 183A with a filtering criteria
in recipes table; the output of the query is the list of recipes in
cookbook that belong to a chapter.

[0162] The output of select queries are cached in the TOC data stores
183D; they represent the chapters to be used to navigate the cookbook, as
detailed in FIG. 17F. Method 184 in FIG. 17B allows user to sort recipes
in cookbook organizer which will invoke the method 183 to update the
tables of content. Similarly, if user chooses to add another recipe to
cookbook organizer, it will cause the table of contents to be updated
183.

[0163] The Cookbook Navigation

[0164] Turning now to FIG. 17F, the cookbook navigation 185 allows for
viewing and navigating the online cookbook (and corresponding eBook). The
navigation method 185A allows user to flip through the sequence of pages
and recipes in cookbook 185B or navigate directly to an individual
chapter and flip through the recipes 185C in the selected chapter. The
method 185D allows user to navigate back to the cover page of the
cookbook. The method 185E allows user to flip to next recipe or flip back
to previous recipe in book or chapter. The method 185F displays each
recipe's default nutrition facts per serving in cookbook as well as
allows user to drill-down to view nutrition details within the page. The
method 185G allows user to change profile to have recipe's nutrition
facts compared and charted against RDA. The method 185H allows user to
view each recipe's photos in place within the page. The method 185I
allows user to view a recipe's video in place within the page. The method
185I allows user to change the recipe servings to re-compute quantity and
measures of recipe ingredients based on new servings.

[0165] The interactivity capabilities in 185F through 185J are detailed
further in the ePub conversion section below.

[0166] The publish method 186 is detailed in FIG. 18 which uses the ePub
Converter method 187 and detailed in FIG. 19. The ePub converter method
creates a standard ePub formatted file that can be transmitted to eBook
stores or downloaded to tablet devices or any reader device capable of
reading such standard files. The eBook publishing gateway 188 handles the
actual transfer of the ePub file to the eBook stores. The publishing
gateway is prior art and provided as service from external provider.

[0167] The Publish Method 186

[0168] Turning now to FIG. 18, Option 186A gives user the option to
publish eBook to web sites and to eBook stores. In order to publish to
eBook stores the publish method assigns an ISBN number 186B to the eBook.
ISBN numbers are pre-loaded in data store 49F. The next step in publish
method is to store the user preference 186C of which eBook stores to
publish eBook. Lastly, compute the eBook listing price. The optional
add-on fee 186D to the cookbook price would be to cover publishing fees
imposed by eBook stores or other intermediary fees.

[0169] The eBook Converter Method 187

[0170] Turning now to FIG. 19, This method for converting the created
online cookbook to the ePub format can be applied to generate other
standard eBook formats. The purpose of this step is to create an ePub
archive file that is composed by a set of required ePub files 187L, xhtml
files, pdf files, css files, and supporting images.

[0171] The first step in this process is to read in all sections
templates, including the user selected cover page template 187A and
recipe pages template 187B. Each section of the cookbook has a
corresponding template, cover, introduction, table of contents, and
recipes, and each template containing placeholders, special tags
delimited by curly brackets, to be replaced with the actual content of
the cookbook.

[0172] The next step in the process is to generate the cover.html file
from template 187C; the cover data will include owner, title, the brief
intro, and cover image. The layout data of the cover, i.e. positioning of
various data elements and supporting images and background, are part of
and referenced within the template itself. According to an embodiment of
the present invention, the algorithm that takes place in this step 187C
is to replace the special delimited tags {authors}, {title}, {tagline}
with the actual data from the cookbook.

[0173] The next step is to process the introduction.html template and
generate the introduction page based on the content in cookbook.

[0174] The next step is to generate the recipes.html sections from the
recipe template by iterating for each recipe in cookbook 187D. Each of
the recipe template's special tags are replaced with the actual content
of the recipes 187D, i.e. title, description, course, instructions,
remarks.

[0175] According to an embodiment of the present invention, default recipe
template images are then added to recipe.html 187E. Slideshow images 187F
may then be added to recipe.html and referenced through an object tag
with text/html mime-type. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, because of restriction imposed by eBook readers in rendering
images within object tag, each slideshow image is converted to PDF.

[0176] Next step is to include the video associated with recipe in
recipe.html file 187G. Video is encoded in a format compatible with the
web and mobile reader devices. However, even in the best compressed
format videos can increase the final output size considerably which could
make ePub file too slow to download or install. Therefore, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention, the suggested implementation
is to truncate the video file to a clip of a configurable duration; the
video clip will be viewed in place 1002, while the full length video is
available when viewing the clip at a configurable URL and allowing user
to view it through the local browser.

[0177] According to an embodiment of the present invention, videos are
included in html5 video tag. For xhtml to be valid for epubcheck 187L,
html5 tag containing video is included as xml island within ops:switch
(using xhtml namespace):

[0178] After processing all recipes in cookbook 187H, next step is to read
and process the chapter template and generate the TOC html files and
chapter html files 187I. Finally, the CSS style sheets are added to the
epub assembly 187J.

[0179] At step 187K, the system generates the actual ePub file consisting
of an assembly of the various html, pdf, image and video files and of the
ePub required meta-data, book.ncf, and book.opf files. The ncf file
stores the chapters sequence and order of the eBook while the opf file
includes the book id, creator, title, etc. The method for creating the
required epub files and files compression is prior art.

[0180] In the Last step 187L in the ePub conversion process is the
validation of the ePub compressed file. Validation is required for being
able to publish ePub files through online e-stores and it's done through
an internal epubcheck component invoked programmatically.

[0181] Interactivity within ePub Archive--the Interactive eBook

[0182] One of the elements of the ePub archive is an epub.js JavaScript
file 49H with methods that implement interactivity in eBooks. Cookbooks
use JavaScript by adding epub.js file (mime-type: "text/JavaScript") to
the ePub, and including a reference in each chapter.html before ending
body tag. Because events can't be used within xhtml tags as it would
invalidate epubcheck, to add events to DOM elements we use element ids
and/or class names to identify them and then add event to them or change
their innerHTML with event attached. This method doesn't break ePub
validity because id and class for element is allowed, "text/JavaScript"
mime-type, and script tag with "src" attribute also. The suggested
implementation FIG. 26A-26F uses the above method to personalize the
eBook viewing experience. Current methods in epub.js allow eBook users to
change servings of recipes 185J to have measures and quantities of
ingredients' recomputed FIG. 26E, and let users enter a personal profile
185G to have recipes' nutrition facts compared to USDA Recommended Daily
Allowances FIG. 26F. Same technique can be used to add further
interactivity and personalization of user experience.

[0183] Calendar Manager Module: Shared Meal Plans

[0184] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a calendar
manager module FIG. 28A allows users to create multiple monthly
calendars, i.e. meal plans, using recipes and food journals in Recipe
Box. A key method of the calendar module is how users "add" recipes and
journals to calendar 79. The method allows users to perform this task
with a single drag of a recipe or journal to the appropriate date in the
calendar performed through a computer mouse click-and-release action or a
tap-and-swipe action on a touch-based device. The invention use of a full
monthly calendar FIG. 27 along with the list of recipes and journals
accessible within the same screen or view makes this possible.

[0186] The planning method shown in FIG. 28A details the responses to user
actions for adding and moving recipes to monthly calendar 79/791/792,
while FIGS. 28B-28D detail the behind the scenes computations.

[0187] Step 796 shown in FIG. 28B retrieves from user's profile the
primary nutrition facts list and RDA values for current user's profile.
The next step is to retrieve the current list of recipes and journals
assigned to calendar 797A and corresponding ingredients' nutrients 797B.
The method computes the daily averages of the primary nutrition facts
798A and visually charts the values relatively to the user's RDA values
798B. Upon user request, it then repeats same computation for daily
averages of food group servings and all nutrients 799A and chart them
relatively to user's RDA values 799B.

[0188] Another user request 100, shown in FIG. 28C, triggers the method to
compute and display the daily averages for a given nutrient by Food
Group, by recipes or journals, or by ingredients 104. The ability for
users to view the averages with different criteria and drill-down from
food groups or recipes to individual ingredients is what enables the user
of the system to quickly learn and focus on the weaknesses or excesses of
the meal plan with a single mouse or tap action 100/104, or at most 2
mouse or tap actions 100-108, or 104-110

[0189] In the food group view, the method computes, upon action from user
selecting the value of a food group, the nutrient's values by
ingredients. Likewise, the recipe view gives users the ability to see
which recipes are affecting the daily average for a given nutrient the
most; it computes, upon action from user selecting the value of a recipe,
the nutrient's values by ingredients. Lastly, the ingredients view gives
users the ability to see which ingredients overall, regardless of
recipes, are affecting the daily averages the most.

[0190] A possible implementation, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, of the calendar manager module is
shown in FIG. 29.

[0191] According to an embodiment of the present invention, method 794 and
795 are detailed for computing and displaying in one screen the
nutritional details of a meal plan in terms of macro nutrients, micro
nutrients 796, and food groups 797 daily averages, visually charting and
comparing each macro nutrient, micro nutrient 798, and food group 799 to
the recommended daily allowances or food group recommendation. A method
810 is detailed for providing individual daily values of calories, as
well as daily values of all macro nutrients, micro nutrients, and food
groups and visually charting and comparing their values to each nutrient
recommended daily value or food group recommendation. Finally, a method
812 is detailed for rearranging daily meal plans by moving recipes and
food journals to another day by dragging said recipes or journals to a
different day in the monthly plan.

[0192] Instructional Interactive eBooks

[0193] The process and methods of this invention can be reapplied to
create a generic process as shown in FIG. 32, referenced above as
Instructional Interactive eBooks, This new process allows users with
basic computer skills create, collect, organize documents in electronic
online books and eBooks. This new process allows users of the system to
collaborate in the creation of the online books with each user
contributing own or favorite documents; the process includes a conversion
method where the online book is converted to the eBook format and a
publishing method allowing users to distribute the newly eBook through
online eBook stores. Interactivity in the eBooks comes from playing media
incorporated in eBooks as well as being able to personalize the reader
experience; for instance, instructional eBooks could allow user change
the skill level to get different level of details on the instructions.

[0194] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user of a
remote device, computer 200 or a smart phone 201, or a partner web site
202, can access a service implementing the invention through the internet
203. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is defined in the
following paragraphs.

[0195] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method 204
is provided that reads user's profile 214, if user is registered with
service, authenticates user, initializes session, and processes all input
and output from and to users at remote devices 200, 201, and 202. Users
200 would interact with 204 through a web browser, user on a mobile
device 201 would interact with a local app and local app would interact
with method 204 through web-based REST-like API services. Partner web
sites 202 would interact with method 204 through web-based REST-like API
services.

[0196] An initialization method 204 may also be utilized to determine user
preferences, i.e. level of experience or skills, based on user profile in
214, and using the services of the accounts manager module 212.

[0197] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a document
manager module 205 is provided that allows users to create documents
using an html text editor, prior art, or import documents from other
sources, using copy/paste, or by providing a URL and selecting a standard
native format, XML, HTML or XHTML based, to use in the import process.

[0198] Methods in module 205 are presented to users for providing a title
to the document, a brief introduction, and content, select predefined
document properties or custom properties stored with document as
meta-data in 206 and defined in config data store 216. A predefined
property could be for instance the skill level required to read document
or complete exercise. Additionally, user can upload images or photos and
video associated with a document and stored in 207. Search and sort
method 211 are provided to help users manage own documents and find and
add other users' documents as favorite documents.

[0199] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the document
manager 205 module separates the user's documents in own documents and
favorite documents.

[0200] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the eBooks
Manager module 208 allows users to create and manage books created with
own or favorite documents. The eBooks Manager module 208 allows a user
create a book framework and invite other members of the service
implementing the invention to contribute to the book content each with
own or favorite documents. The eBooks Manager module 208 may also support
a book framework composed of several pre-defined html templates stored in
216; user creator selects the ones to use for cover and document pages.
Each template provides the frame and layout while the documents
themselves provide the content. The book creation method in eBooks
Manager module 208 merges the documents with the templates, substituting
the pre-defined unique tags in templates with the actual content.

[0201] A book organizer method in eBooks Manager module 208 allows users
to add documents from user's own or favorite documents lists directly
into the organizer by dragging said documents. Users can sort documents
by dragging them to the exact location within the book organizer

[0202] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the chapters
of the book are built from the number and sequence of documents in the
book, and based on document's meta-data. Meta-data is composed of default
properties, such as document creation date, author, document type, or
language, and custom document properties, such as skills required to read
document. Such properties are created and managed through the
configuration manager 215.

[0203] Services implementing this invention will differ on the type and
number of default and custom document properties, because said properties
are specific to the particular audience of the eBooks. For instance, the
properties of documents in cookbooks, i.e. recipes, are course, cuisine,
preparation time (cooking skill level), cooking time, nutrients, etc;
while the properties for an instructional book on how to install TVs will
have TV size, manufacturer, technology, technical skills level, etc.

[0204] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
configuration manager gives users the option to create new properties and
designate them as required or optional. Required properties are those
that require user creating a new document to provide or select a value
for said properties before document can be saved to documents data store
206.

[0205] According to an embodiment of the present invention, eBooks Manager
module 208 gives user the ability to select which table of content to
generate automatically based on the available document properties.

[0206] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the book
publisher 210 is responsible for the conversion of the online book in the
eBook format. This consists of assembling and merging of templates with
documents to generate the actual ePub archive file of text, images, and
videos.

[0207] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the book
workflow process for creating, sharing and collaborating, and publishing
methods described in FIGS. 17-19 apply to this Instructional Interactive
eBooks process as well. The ePub conversion method described in FIG. 19
applies to this Instructional Interactive eBooks process as well.

[0208] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the Account
management methods for computing revenue splits on eBooks and buying
credits through the Payment gateway apply to this Instructional
Interactive eBooks as well.

[0209] Benefits to Licensees of Invention

[0210] The invention will benefit home cooks, professional chefs, and a
multitude of operators for for-profit or non-for-profit endeavors. The
following paragraphs outline some of the specific advantages.

[0211] Chefs and home cooks who feel they have a special culinary gift,
experience, or expertise in ethnic or regional cuisine can benefit
financially, by using the services of one of the licensees of this
invention, by creating and selling their cookbooks online or make them
available for download to eBook readers, for instance Apple iPad®,
through their respective online stores. The advantage over other
traditional forms of cookbook publishing is the simplicity of the
process, much higher revenue share, the immediacy of the medium and its
multi-media capabilities with pictures, video, sound, and interactivity
through software algorithms to adapt content to personal profile.

[0212] A group of home chefs could unite as a non-profit organization to
provide and distribute cookbooks with detailed nutritional info for
schools, camps, and church programs providing meals as part of their
activities.

[0213] Nutritional departments of clinics and universities could implement
some of the methods of the invention to let, for instance, dieticians or
nutritionists for their patients, or parents for their college bound
children, create, share, and/or monitor online meal plans that meet
specific criteria.

[0214] Food operators, restaurants or restaurant chains could implement
methods of the invention to let users see online the nutrition facts of
their recipes or meals before or during patron's visit. Or give users the
ability to modify recipes and meals online, that meet specific
nutritional values, and to be picked up or served later at the operator's
location, or for delivery.

[0215] More simply, the same operators could input their recipes through a
web site or mobile app and then print out the recipes' nutritional
information and food group servings to include as part of the restaurant
menu.

[0216] Online publications, magazines, or other web sites could implement
the methods of this invention to augment the functionality of their own
web site and mobile apps, for computing calorie, nutrients values and
food group servings of user's own recipes, plus allow them to create
eBooks using user's own recipes.

[0217] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments
of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
from this detailed description. The invention is capable of myriad
modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and
descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive.